Conclusion
Returning to the subject of the strange but great and spacious building, we can better understand what God hoped to teach us by using the specific word strange. In 1828 vernacular, a great building houses a proud people of rank or distinction. Its spaciousness signifies that it is wide, extensive, and vast—but not narrow, for narrow means within bounds or sufficient to avoid evil. As we know, strange refers to all that distances us from God.
This enormous worldly building is in stark contrast to the tree of life—the first is built by man’s hands and the latter has life, bearing fruit that grows from a seed of faith. As expected, the strange building is on the opposite side of the strait and narrow path that leads to eternal life.
They are separated by an “awful,” “great and terrible gulf,” even an everlasting “gulf of misery and endless woe.” Which side of this gulf we are on depends on how we respond to “the word . . . of the Eternal God . . . [which] separates the wicked from the tree of life and also from the saints of God” (1 Nephi 12:18; 15:28). His word—including revelations, truth, doctrine, and ordinances—is the dividing line between salvation and damnation. To be estranged from it keeps us captive in “that everlasting gulf of death and misery.” Choosing to move forward on the strait and narrow path by holding to the word of God takes us over the divisive gulf and puts us on the only sure foundation.
Lay hold upon the word of God, which is quick and powerful, which shall divide asunder all the cunning and the snares and the wiles of the devil, and lead the man of Christ in a strait and narrow course across that everlasting gulf of misery which is prepared to engulf the wicked. (Helaman 3:29)
This spacious building has no fountain but deceptively appears to be exalted, like the Tower of Babel. “It stood as it were in the air, high above the earth” (1 Nephi 8:26). That it is in the air, separate from earth, reflects the pride and self-righteousness of its inhabitants who “lift themselves up” (Mormon 8:36) in disillusion. It also confirms its founder is Satan, “the prince of the power of the air” (Ephesians 2:2). In the air with no foundation, delusion and illusion form “the foundation of the destruction of this people” (Alma 10:27). Babylon is not built on the rock of Christ, so she (and all whose hearts long for her) will be cut off.
“Her foundations [are] of darkness,” being “led by many priests and false prophets” who “build up many churches and do all manner of iniquity” (4 Nephi 1:38). “Keepers of the law were actually laying the foundations of the devil . . . laying traps and snares to catch the holy ones of God. Ye are laying plans to pervert the ways of the righteous and to bring down the wrath of God upon your heads, even to the utter destruction of this people” (Alma 10:17–18). Enoch says they “lay the foundations of sin and deceit and cause bitterness upon the earth” so “from all their foundations will they be overthrown” (1 Enoch 99:12, 94:7).
We tried to heal Babylon, but she could not be healed. Abandon her . . . for her judgment extends to the sky and reaches to the clouds. (Jeremiah 51:9, Berean)
Lured into believing they are holy and set apart from the world, the reality is that many who once were on the right path now are the world.
Zion cannot be obtained unless we separate from Babylon’s great and spacious building, yet the people choose to worship strange gods—all of whom promise much but cannot deliver, for they are “dumb idols” (Abraham 1:7) incapable of providing anything but ruin. Still, they have managed to lull the world into believing falsehoods, promoting fiction, and supporting fallacies as they declare there is no need for God, for He has done His work and given His power to men and so many remain at ease in their version of Zion. Distraction and deception keep many unaware and apathetic. They are secure and comfortable, but not comforted by the Spirit God deeply wants to pour out upon them.
Without the Spirit, many travel on strange roads and succumb to clever counterfeits of transhumanism, globalism, woke ideologies, and techno-religion. Science and technology are their gods that promise visions, knowledge, happiness, health, intelligence, and eternal life—without faith or sacrifice. It’s an offer most won’t refuse. Satan’s counterfeits, like the secret combinations that establish them, abound and have infiltrated all nations.
Their children are victims of society’s unbelief and spiritual depravity, being taught to despise and forget God. Broken homes are the norm and the truth of who they really are and what they are created to be is lost in a world of confusion. Strange children are more connected to technology than family. Entitlement abounds. God’s plan is foreign to their understanding, for they have been brainwashed since youth to reject His principles and stay in that alluring great and spacious building, not realizing that without a foundation, it cannot endure.
Scripture describes this strange building as set in a land of promise, a nation given a divine Constitution and laws that they reject as they make ungodly alliances and seek protection by relying on the arm of flesh. Those in the strange building seek to “destroy the foundation of liberty” (Alma 46:10). In The Federalist Papers, Thomas Paine said “what we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly . . . and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as freedom should not be highly rated . . . These are the times that try men’s souls.” But few realize they are on trial. This land is given conditionally—if “they but serve the god of this land, who is Jesus Christ” (Ether 2:12), but abundant prosperity and pride lead many to forsake and deny Him. Holy ones “whom they know not” (D&C 49:8) are sent to preach truth, but they too are rejected by all but a few.
The multitude not only rejects the good, they believe it is evil and apostate. This great and spacious building is also populated by those led by blind and indulgent leaders who appear in white but no longer prophesy, see, or get revelation. Centuries ago they began to build the watch tower, but their attention was diverted to building their kingdom, distracted by money exchangers (D&C 101:44–51). They do not finish the tower or watch, being complacent and unaware of imminent danger.
The leaders of my people—the Lord’s watchmen, his shepherds—are blind and ignorant. They are like silent watchdogs that give no warning when danger comes. (Isaiah 56:10, NLT)
“In the last days, or in the days of the Gentiles . . . they will be drunken with iniquity and all manner of abominations” (2 Nephi 27:1). Leaders spew their own wisdom, decided on in their own councils. Revelation, divine miracles, and gifts of the Spirit have virtually ceased though many claim His name, authority, and power. He calls, but few hear.
Drunk with self-deception, self-righteousness, and an insatiable love of wealth, by failing to uphold the covenant they will forfeit its protection and blessings. Because of “deceivableness of unrighteousness” and “receiv[ing] not the love of the truth,” God will “send them strong delusion that they should believe a lie” (2 Thessalonians 2:10–11). Traditions are so heavily influenced by precepts of men that darkness appears as light. They “have sinned a very grievous sin, in that they are walking in darkness at noon-day” (D&C 95:6). God mercifully gave a lengthy period to repent, but it must end.
Residents of this building may offer partial sacrifices that God cannot accept but they do not realize it. The multitude of meetings, activities, and assignments keep them busy like Martha, but God wants us like Mary. Their works “burden” and “weary the Lord” because they do not bring the people into His presence (Isaiah 1:11–16). No alliance, program, ritual, committee, reform, position, or money can make one’s offerings acceptable. God requires a broken heart and contrite spirit to be remade in His image and likeness. Only through His power can we put on a “new man . . . in righteousness and true holiness” (Ephesians 4:24). Righteousness is an indispensable requirement for liberty.
We are to “magnify the calling” from His own voice to come to Him. A false sense of security makes us unteachable, driving the Spirit farther until we are left entirely to ourselves. Even if called, God cannot elect us (D&C 121:37–38) if all we have to show is outward (dead) works.
They have taken His name in vain and are “lost” because of strange things among them. Unheeded calls to repent become a voice of calamity. They boast “we will return and build” greater things. The Lord responds, “They shall build but I will throw down” (Malachi 1:4) and “break down the walls of mine enemies, throw down their tower, and scatter their watchmen” (D&C 101:57)—for they are filled with pride, rebellion, defiance, and hard hearts, and seek to make a name for themselves.
Wickedness is so prevalent that it is no longer seen as wickedness. “The holy seed is mixed with strange people.” The land given “to possess as a heritage is [now] a land polluted with the pollutions of the strangers of the land, and they have filled it with their uncleanness.” Instead of becoming the bride of Christ, they “have married strange women of the nations” (1 Esdras 8:70, 83, 92).
God desires none get lost because of strange things among us. Being estranged from God robs us of salvation and it robs God of His glory. Only a godly seed glorifies God so we are to continue in obedience and sacrifice, offering our whole soul. When we are a holy people, “then shall the offering . . . be pleasant unto the Lord, as in days of old” (Malachi 3:4).
By rejecting what is strange and trusting solely in Him, we become a friend to God. He leads His friends in all the paths of righteousness. He knows us and He is known by us. Christ seeks to dwell forever with His friends whom He has covered by His selfless atonement and who sought His sacred embrace. Christ “purchased strangers and made them his own” (Gospel of Phillip 53). His work comes to pass when we pass the trials necessary to become exalted, having done “the works of Abraham.”
Come unto the Lord, the Holy One. Remember that his paths are righteous. Behold, the way for man is narrow, but it lieth in a straight course before him, and the keeper of the gate is the Holy One of Israel; and he employeth no servant there; and there is none other way save it be by the gate; for he cannot be deceived, for the Lord God is his name. (2 Nephi 9:41)
By navigating through mists of darkness and distraction, and holding firmly to God’s word, we receive the Spirit and joy that will be “poured out upon all” (D&C 95:4) who endure refining trials. In this we fill the measure of our creation. “Men are that they might have joy” (2 Nephi 2:25). God is not waiting for the wicked to repent as much as He is waiting for the humble to become more righteous—enough to establish Zion, His kingdom on earth. God promises blessings and protection “if they will but serve the God of the land, who is Jesus Christ” (Ether 2:12).
We are to “give thanks in all things” (1 Thessalonians 5:18), including His work and His strange work. To not have gratitude offends Him. We must understand, “All things have been done in the wisdom of him who knoweth all things” (2 Nephi 2:24). God “knoweth all things from the beginning; wherefore, he prepareth a way to accomplish all his works among the children of men; for behold, he hath all power unto the fulfilling of all his words” (1 Nephi 9:6).
His gifts and spirit offered help us “discern between the righteous and the wicked” (D&C 101:95)—let us seek them!
Now if this is boasting, even so will I boast; for this is my life and my light, my joy and my salvation, and my redemption from everlasting wo. Yea, blessed is the name of my God, who has been mindful of this people, who are a branch of the tree of Israel, and has been lost from its body in a strange land; yea, I say, blessed be the name of my God, who has been mindful of us, wanderers in a strange land. (Alma 26:36)
“So the Lord alone did lead him, and there was no strange god with him” (Deuteronomy 32:12).
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For thus saith Jehovah,
My work, even My strange work, shall run through the land, bringing truth to all who seek it, destruction to all who choose to forsake it. I shall not be moved, for My glory and My kingdom require such.
Footnotes and sources can be found HERE.